which to keep: '02 S430 150k miles w. $6k in repairs, or '01 E320 w. 180k miles?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 129
Likes: 3
From: Pacific Palisades, CA & Sherman Oaks, CA (work)
2012 E350 coupe Black/Almond, 61k miles in 2020
which to keep: '02 S430 150k miles w. $6k in repairs, or '01 E320 w. 180k miles?
So we've had both cars for over ten years. I drive the E320, and my wife drove the S430. She got a CPO 2011 S550 last night, so I need to decide whether to keep the E320, or the S430, for myself. I also posted this in the W220 section to get their opinions.
The W220 needs age/use related repairs: new front suspension parts, motor mounts, transmission mount, trunk vacuum latch replacement, air pump for emissions, and a couple of plugs/wires that are cutting out. That would all cost about $5,000 at an independent MB repair shop, and $8,500 at the Dealership. Do I keep it and get some of the things fixed at the Indy mechanic, or do I stick with my 2001 W210 E320 with 180,000 miles? I must decide before early July when I have to get the smog check recertified on the W220, which I cannot do with a CEL light on.
Regarding the E320, aside from a few interior cosmetic issues (front passenger door handle and armrest have the beige colored paint wearing off to show a more orange color material underneath, driver side door handle vinyl covering is separating from the metal underneath, center console armrest doesn't look that good, etc.), I like driving it quite a bit with the modificaitons I have on it... Remus muffler, Eibach springs, Koni shocks, AMG 17" wheels, Akebono dustless brake pads..
I have two concerns/issues regarding the W210:
1) it has 180,000 miles on the original transmission, which was flushed at 100k miles. I'm just wondering how much longer an original transmission can go, b/c when it does go, that's $4,000 minimum. The W220 transmission was replaced mostly under warrantly at 85k miles, and the remanufactured tranny has 65k on it now. I seem to worry about trannies more than any other part of a car. So the tranny advantage goes to the W220.
2) the W210 front seats are not ventilated, and I live in LA. so when I get in the car, even if it has been in the garage at work in Van Nuys, in 85+ degree weather, the hot seatback makes my back sweat and ruin my shirt for the rest of the day. Is there any way to take a non-ventilated seat and replace it with a ventilated seat without costing too much?
The W220 needs age/use related repairs: new front suspension parts, motor mounts, transmission mount, trunk vacuum latch replacement, air pump for emissions, and a couple of plugs/wires that are cutting out. That would all cost about $5,000 at an independent MB repair shop, and $8,500 at the Dealership. Do I keep it and get some of the things fixed at the Indy mechanic, or do I stick with my 2001 W210 E320 with 180,000 miles? I must decide before early July when I have to get the smog check recertified on the W220, which I cannot do with a CEL light on.
Regarding the E320, aside from a few interior cosmetic issues (front passenger door handle and armrest have the beige colored paint wearing off to show a more orange color material underneath, driver side door handle vinyl covering is separating from the metal underneath, center console armrest doesn't look that good, etc.), I like driving it quite a bit with the modificaitons I have on it... Remus muffler, Eibach springs, Koni shocks, AMG 17" wheels, Akebono dustless brake pads..
I have two concerns/issues regarding the W210:
1) it has 180,000 miles on the original transmission, which was flushed at 100k miles. I'm just wondering how much longer an original transmission can go, b/c when it does go, that's $4,000 minimum. The W220 transmission was replaced mostly under warrantly at 85k miles, and the remanufactured tranny has 65k on it now. I seem to worry about trannies more than any other part of a car. So the tranny advantage goes to the W220.
2) the W210 front seats are not ventilated, and I live in LA. so when I get in the car, even if it has been in the garage at work in Van Nuys, in 85+ degree weather, the hot seatback makes my back sweat and ruin my shirt for the rest of the day. Is there any way to take a non-ventilated seat and replace it with a ventilated seat without costing too much?
Last edited by DunninLA; May 29, 2014 at 04:03 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 10
210 55
W220 = airmatic nightmare IMO $$$ and most expesive manteinance.
W210 = more reliable cars after the W124's
´
2 are pretty good cars and the w220 are soooo confortable, but my choise is for the w210
Fabio Daniel
W210 = more reliable cars after the W124's
´2 are pretty good cars and the w220 are soooo confortable, but my choise is for the w210
Fabio Daniel
